Meet Radnor's First Ever Fire & EMS Chief

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Radnor Township announced its first-ever fire and EMS chief.

The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners tapped James P. Smith Jr. to be the Radnor Township Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Officials approved Smith for the job by unanimous vote Monday. He will begin his tenure Sept. 16.

Smith has 30 years of experience in fire and rescue services, the township said.

For eight years, he served as Director and Fire Chief of Ocean City, New Jersey Fire and Rescue Services. In that role, he supervised two deputy chiefs, four battalion chiefs, 12 captains, and 67 career fire and EMS personnel. He operated from three fire stations, including a fire-based emergency medical service.

Smith also served nine years as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator of Ocean City Emergency Management, where he was responsible for protecting a barrier island with tax ratables of $13 billion and a population ranging from 25,000 to 150,000. He made management level decisions and handled administrative duties such as budgeting, human resources, master and contingency planning, logistics, operational command and control, communications, special operations, public education and public information.

In Radnor, Smith will oversee the overall direction, administration and evaluation of the township fire and emergency medical services, and will plan, develop, implement and evaluate a township-wide combination fire and EMS system, policies and procedures. He will also work closely with the Radnor, Bryn Mawr and Broomall Fire Departments as well as Radnor Township Police Department to promote fire prevention and protect the lives and property of Radnor Township residents.

"I am honored to be selected for this position and look forward to the challenges ahead as the emergency services of Radnor Township move towards a Fire/EMS system that is a model of excellence and efficiency," Smith said. "I also would like to thank the Board of Commissioners for their confidence and trust.”

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University. His education and training also include numerous professional certifications, licensures and extensive coursework in emergency services and fire rescue. He works as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University Camden and owns a small business consulting in emergency services agencies.

Smith is married with three children. He enjoys traveling, family time, and he’s an avid sports fan.

"We are excited to welcome Jim to this critically important role for Radnor Township," Township Manager William M. White said. "The Chief is the cornerstone for building the best combination system possible, and we believe hiring Jim gives us a huge advantage, moving the fire and EMS service forward for the residents of Radnor Township. He is well known and respected in the fire safety and emergency services, has comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of Fire/EMS from legislative issues, budgets and insurance to front line operations, and has the leadership and experience for this complex and momentous initiative."